Food Allergy Vs Sensitivity

Every day in my practice of acupuncture I see someone who has a problem with their doctor can not find a solution. For some, this may be a rash or chronic eczema. For others it may be a headache or low-grade chronic fatigue. Many people simply are struggling with some kind of digestive problem unresolved. Although not the primary nature of the patient visit a lot of people who have some sort of mishap with your digestion (no pun intended). Often, these patients were ulcer medications, taking laxatives or something every day to reduce the speed of the intestines.

The human body is an amazing machine that is constantly evolving and growing. All the necessities of life, we all have to eat. There are less than one hundred years, most people ate foods that grew native or very close to home. With the advent of rapid transit and the new global economy, we can now eat tropical fruits from around the world throughout the year. The distance between the food available and our tables is very low. Some body is, in my opinion, are not genetically adapted to control what we eat.

A food allergy means that your body recognizes a particular food as harmful. In response, the immune system reacts to release antibody attacks “pathogens” meal. Allergic reactions can range from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to the end to anaphylaxis and (if untreated) death. To test a food allergy your doctor will perform what is called a test for the detection of IgE antibodies. Immunoglobulin E or IgE is the substance that is released by the body to fend off harmful. If the result is positive, it says you have an allergy to a specific food that triggers the release of IgE. Of course, this is a brief overview of food allergies, but it gives you an understanding of what many physicians treat the numbers laboratory. While certainly beneficial and correct this method often updated real physical symptoms that may be associated with something that is not on the test.

Even if a patient in my practice may have been used for food allergy, I’m still exploring the possibility of food sensitivity when unexplained symptoms or chronic digestive problems. Sensitivity means that a person eats a particular food may have a reaction, such as acne, diarrhea, constipation, eczema, headaches, etc. .. which is the body’s response to not being able to break down food for digestion. This person can not be released in response to food IgE, but the body can not use it properly and it becomes a problem. In my opinion, a long-term sensitivity may trigger the immune system to attack the body and can be the cause of many autoimmune diseases. In fact, the medical literature often cited as the cause is unknown in most autoimmune dysfunction. I think many people who are allergic tested and said they can continue eating certain foods are actually serious injury when they are sensitive.

The only way to know for sure if you are sensitive to certain foods is to keep an elimination diet for a period of time (at least three months gluten). Remove food from your diet and see if any problems “inexplicable” diminish or disappear. See if your digestion improves! I’ll write more about elimination diets in future articles. By now we know that the most common food allergies are gluten, corn, soy, wheat and dairy products. We are all unique individuals and therefore we all have unique digestive capacity. Find what works for you and your body will reward you with a lot of energy and better health. Always remember, being that belongs to you!